On Thursday, December 9, 2022, Troop 660 presented me with this beautiful wooden plaque and compass as a farewell gift. As many of you know, I’ve been involved with Boy Scouts as a youth, and with my son, Quinton. I’ve been an adult leader for the last 12 1/2 years and I’ve been fortunate to work with the scouts from two Packs and one Troop. Now it is time to step down for new leadership.
The primary goal of Scouting is help youth development positive character traits, learn to become a good citizen, and to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally strait. It was a pleasure to watch the scouts learn life skills such as leadership, cooking (some meals were challenging to make and eat), public speaking, and the importance of community service. I’ve watched the scouts learn skills and teach others those skills in our troop and to other scouts at multi-troop camping events.
I’ve enjoyed watching the Cub Scouts attend their cross-over ceremony to join a Boy Scout troop. I’ve had the pleasure attending and participating in several Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremonies over the years. With hard work and dedication, every scout has the opportunity to become an Eagle Scout. I see that in the scouts of Troop 660.
Let’s not forget about camping! Over the years we hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail, camped almost every month (sometimes in extreme weather), enjoyed week long summer camping trips, zip-line adventures at Lums Pond, hiked part of the Maroon Bells in Colorado, went white water rafting on the Arkansas River, and toured major national parks in Arizona and Nevada. We camped in snowy weather in Gettysburg and hiked through the snow cover fields and trails. We rode ATVs in the woods and learned rifle and shotgun safety. We have been on too many adventures over the years to mention in a post.
I am leaving the troop in the good hands of Bruce Williams, who will become the next Scoutmaster. Bruce has some great and exciting ideas for the troop. Bruce is a great role model for the scouts and I feel they will learn a lot from him. There are a lot of great ideas from the PLC (Patrol Leader Council) and what the scouts want to plan for the upcoming year. I think there will be some High Adventure camping, so I am looking forward to those posts. I wish Bruce, Sean, Frank, Jill, Katies, and the rest of Troop 660 Adult Leadership all the best in the years to come.
What’s next for me in scouting? I might continue as a merit badge counselor, maybe see if there is a position as camp master somewhere. I hope to camp with Quinton or my friends from scouts and visit state park outside of Delaware. Maybe camp at a national park too. Maybe I can do some training for the Vermont bike ride Mike mentioned in 2020. I’ve always wanted to check out Texas, North Carolina, Montana, and few other places where I’m off the grid, taking pictures, enjoying the campfire, and not becoming bear food.
What time is it? “It’s Go Time!” Good luck, Troop 660!!
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